Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 4, 2021 18:02:03 GMT -5
In answer, the whole crew reached into the collars of their shirts and pulled out matching sun pendants. Some were wooden like his, while others gleamed silver and gold in the dim lighting. Sol, sitting beside Parker, was the last to pull his out. And his, unsurprisingly, was a little more elaborate, with tiny yellow-gold jewels imbedded in it. He held it out so Parker could see, then tucked it under his shirt again. "It's a symbol," he said. "It means you're one of us. And any good sailor who sees it in future will treat you accordingly."
☆~☆~☆ Seth cringed inwardly. If that didn't work, than he had no idea what to do to keep her from crying. Maybe if he knew why she was crying he'd have an idea. As it was, he was lost. And something told him no one was going to be too quick to come help. Then an idea struck him, and he started humming quietly the first song he thought.
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*Nightwhisper
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"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 4, 2021 18:19:49 GMT -5
All around him, the crew withdrew pendants of their own, in a variety of materials. But all of were the same shape. Finally, his eyes landed on Sol's whose, not surprisingly, was the most ornate of them all. It took him a minute for the words to sink in, but when they did, his eyes lifted to Sol's. You're one of us. He knew that wasn't a statement offered lightly. Not when he knew the standards that were in place for someone to have in order to be a member of the Comet's crew. Once more he looked out at the people around him. The people who had taken him in and treated him as an equal, who helped him learn how to live and work on a ship when he knew nothing of the sort. His family away from family. "I..." he started, choking back the tears that were finally determined to spill. He held them at bay, but they made his vision blurry. "Thank you. Ya'll don't know how much this means to me."
~*~*~
Haley continued her whining for a few seconds until she became aware that he was humming. Surprised by the sound, her crying eased a little as she tried to listen. The longer he hummed, the quieter she got. She still stared at him with wide eyes, but there was more out of curiosity than shock.
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 4, 2021 18:43:25 GMT -5
Parker could only watch a the crew made their toast. He didn't try to speak, for he knew his voice wouldn't stay steady. Instead, his hand unconsciously wrapped around the little wooden sun as he tried to push back the overwhelming sense of regret and longing that washed over him. He didn't want to go, but he knew he had to go back to the farm. He couldn't just abandon his whole family.
~*~*~
Haley's eyes followed the butterfly, tears forgotten as she tried to reach for the light.
"And you thought he was going to panic," Jakob muttered to Ryner.
"It was a good bet," Ryner replied.
Anya rolled her eyes and decided that Seth had suffered enough. "Come here, sweet pea," she crooned, gently taking her niece from Seth. "Your uncles really are idiots."
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 4, 2021 19:31:35 GMT -5
"I'm sure you can't be any worse than a country lubber with no training whatsoever," Parker said with a small smile. No training, but he still knew how to dance. All of the Festivals and other parties he had been to helped him get used to dancing. He was neither good nor bad, but he never embarrassed himself at it.
~*~*~
Anya had to admit she was curious too. She hadn't known her brothers were doing anything for Seth. Though that might have been for a reason. So she watched as Ryner came back outside, this time carrying a box in both hands, grinning from ear to ear.
As he walked over to Seth, the rest of the brothers all moved closer as well. The effect wasn't threatening, but the fact that there were so many of them made it feel that way. Stopping before him, Ryner held out the box to Seth. "Just a little something to remember us by," he said.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 4, 2021 19:59:59 GMT -5
The look Sol gave him said he highly doubted that. But after a minute or two of thought, he finally said, "Fine. Lead the way, lubber." He said the word teasingly, knowing full well he was about to appear the lubber. He really could not dance.
☆~☆~☆ Seth eyed the box, then the gathered brothers, with curiosity and suspicion in equal measure. But he accepted the box, balancing it on the palm of one hand, and pulled off the lid. He peered inside, only a little cautiously. What he found made him grin. "Well how about that," he said, and suddenly his voice carried the same easy Southern drawl as the Dorreh family. "This.." He put the lid under the box, then reached in and pulled out the black cowboy hat. A simple silvery-white ribbon adorned it, which only made it better. "This is really great, you guys. Thank you."
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 4, 2021 20:12:55 GMT -5
Parker stared at him for a good second, not believing the answer he got. But he wasn't going to let it go to waste. He grabbed the captain's hand, set down his drink, and led him to a cleared spot to dance.
It wasn't anything special. The song that was currently playing was a very upbeat one, so Parker led Sol into one of the more fast paced reels he knew. It was clear from the get go that Sol had been right; he couldn't dance, but that made it all the more enjoyable. If you asked him, it was seeing the older man not be great at something that made it so much better. To have him follow his lead for a change, even though it wasn't for anything important. It was still fun and had him laughing the whole time.
~•~•~
(Oh dear God, the accent is already too much. XD)
"We figured it was about time to started to look the part since you've already learned the live it," Jakob explained, smiling.
"And apparently talk too," Ryner added with a laugh.
"Go on and try it on. We don't have all day," Felix said.
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 4, 2021 20:49:27 GMT -5
And Parker didn't try to ask for a second one. It was a rare occasion that be even agreed to the first, and he wasn't about to make Sol mad at him. He wanted a good last night with Sol, and pushing his luck wasn't the way to go. So when the dance was over, he walked with his lover back to the table they were previously at and finished his second drink. Now he would call a quits on the alcohol before it got too out of hand.
And so the night went. He as well as a few others took part in a couple of more dances, songs were sang loudly and off key, and the rest of the crew got drunk. Parker was good with keeping his no more alcohol rule, but that never hindered his fun. If anything, it made it better. He wasn't sure how late it was, but he knew it was time to retire for the night as the high of the evening was beginning to fade. As soon as this hit, he made his way back to Sol, sticking with him for a good twenty minutes before he had to make it known he was through with the activities.
Slipping his hand into Sol's, Parker laid his head on his shoulder briefly. "You think they'd notice if we slipped out?" He whispered to him.
~•~•~
And the second goal of the gift was achieved as soon as Seth had posed. For Anya's cheeks reddened as she took in the sight of him in his new hat. Ever since the first mention of him getting one, she might have pictured him in one on and off on more occassions than she cared to count. And the pose of choice wasn't helping matters either.
Ryner noticed and didn't skip a beat. "Looking pretty good, if I say so myself," he said, grinning. "What do you think, Anya?"
Anya shot her brother a withering look, her blush spreading.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 5, 2021 8:21:58 GMT -5
After the dance — if one could call that dancing — Sol actually managed to enjoy himself. He never let himself become front and center in the attention, but he didn't vanish into the background like he was want to do either. He was just one of them, friend and colleague rather than captain or King. The older members of the crew saw nothing strange about this, though a few of the younger ones had a harder time treating Sol normally.
Throughout the night, Sol watched Parker more often than not, so he noticed when the younger man started slowing down. He didn't say anything, not even when Parker joined him at his back corner seat. This was Parker’s night, and Sol didn't want to influence him into leaving before he was ready.
He also had no plans to tell him no tonight. He stood up, taking Parker with him, and started walking toward the door. A few of the crew did indeed notice, as Sol made no attempt to be subtle, but he just ignored them. Before long they were outside and headed not for the ship, surprisingly, but toward a nearby inn.
☆~☆~☆ Seth looked from one brother to the other for a moment before smiling. "Yes, I've noticed." He shook his head and lowered the hats brim again. "Thank you. That... means a lot."
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 5, 2021 8:49:31 GMT -5
Parker was glad he didn't have to say much more to Sol. He didn't feel right leaving his own party earlier than the others, but he also did want some chance of rest, as well as a few more hours with Sol.
He had been expecting to head back to the ship. After all, his belongings were still there and they would need to go get them eventually. But, no, instead, he was guided towards an inn. Really, he didn't care where they went. A bed was a bed, and really Sol was the only thing he was set on having with him. So it made no difference where the night ended.
~•~•~
Marcus let the brothers have their moment, but since it had come to a close he stepped forward as well. "You're more than welcome to show up at our door anytime, with or without Anya," he said. "If there's something you need, or you just want a place to stay, you know where to find it. We'll be glad to have you, son." He patted his shoulder and gave a firm, fatherly squeeze before letting his hand drop. "That goes for you too, Aidan."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 5, 2021 20:37:50 GMT -5
The entire crew had rooms at the inn for the night, for Sol didn't want any of them rowing the boats while drunk. Sol wasn't drunk, but it would be difficult to row one of the boats with just two people. Hence: the inn.
When they arrived, Sol shared a few words with the innkeeper, then continued on up to their third floor room. It was the largest room in the inn, and came with a sitting room and en suite bathroom alongside the large bedroom.
( And before they get any ideas, we should probably skip. xD )
☆~☆~☆ Seth was glad he included Aidan, and that Aidan was ready with a grin and a bright, "Thank you, Marcus!" Because Seth was under assault from a range of emotions he wasn't ready for. Being a welcomed guest was one thing. Seth was grateful and touched that they wanted him here at all. It was Marcus's use of "son" that sent him reeling, and made him very grateful for the new hat, sitting low on his brow and shielding much of his expression.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 5, 2021 21:35:52 GMT -5
( Sol said no breakdowns allowed. xD Before he leaves. I think Parker should be sent back to the ship with Mason and Quill to pack, while Sol goes and gets what he'll need for the trip (horses, a guide, etc.). And then when they meet up again at the docks, that's when Sol will give him things. ;D )
☆~☆~☆ ( Honestly, it's not hard. Just throw emotion he doesn't believe he deserves at him and there ya go. xD )
This goodbye was proving to be more emotional than Seth had expected it to be. He managed a small smile in response, and in that moment he was struck by the similarities between Maria and her daughter. Seth had noticed from the start that Anya took after her mother, but now, looking at the smile Maria gave him, he realized he was seeing what Anya would look like one day. Question was: would she still be smiling at him this way?
Seth pushed aside the thought. Now wasn't really the time. He took his own step back, cleared his throat, and looked to Anya. "Ready?" he asked gently.
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*Nightwhisper
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"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 5, 2021 22:14:46 GMT -5
(Okay!)
Parker didn't want to get out of bed. He never did whenever he and Sol got little sleep, but today was worse than normal. Sol had to pretty much pry his arms off in order to get up, and once he was out of bed, there was little reason for Parker to stay either.
The room was quiet as the pair dressed. This was mainly due to Parker being lost in his own swirling thoughts and emotions, wrestling with them all and trying to push them away. It wasn't working. He had just buttoned the last button on his vest when he paused. "Sol?" He asked, not turning to look at him. It was taking everything he had as it was to remain composed.
~•~•~
Anya sat in the saddle, stroking Star's fur gently and taking one last look at her gathered family. She knew they wouldn't be gone forever, but the grief of it all hit her full force again. Luckily, Stel led the way into the air, and Corrik followed right behind her, letting her hide the tears she wasn't able to stop from everyone. She wiped them away on her sleeve, but the action did little to soothe her.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 6, 2021 8:43:55 GMT -5
Sol didn't end up sleeping at all that night. Even after they tucked in and went to sleep for the remainder of the night, Sol lay awake, letting Parker use him as a pillow but unable to follow him into sleep. And then he gave Parker an extra hour to sleep before waking him — under the pretext that he himself had only just woken — and dragging him out of bed. Delaying the inevitable wouldn't help anyone. It would just draw out the agony.
Sol was in the process of shrugging on his coat when Parker spoke. His tone tipped Sol off, and he took a moment to make sure his was calm and steady before replying. "Yes?"
☆~☆~☆ Seth felt Aidan half turn back to wave as they lifted upward, but Seth kept his gaze determinedly ahead. It might seem cold, but it was the only way he knew to keep his emotions in check. Case in point: as soon as he could no longer see the Dorrehs, Aidan faced forward and hid his face in Seth's back. Seth couldn't hear any crying over the wind, but before long he felt his shirt dampen from tears.
Stamping down harder on his emotions, Seth and Stel led the way forward, and further away from home.
( Skip? )
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 6, 2021 11:00:30 GMT -5
With him being forced to turn and look up At him, Parker couldn't stop his tears. He grabbed the captain's wrists, as if that would be enough to keep him from being completely overcome. His breathing was ragged and shaky, but so far there was no sobbing. "I don't want to say goodbye either," he said. He had let himself get too attached to this rugged, stubborn, workaholic man, and he was unwilling to let go. Because a part of him knew that Sol would be able to find someone to fill his spot with ease, but Parker doubted he would ever find anyone else who could even compare to Sol.
~•~•~
(Oh, that could be cute. And it wouldn't have to be a very big scene either.)
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